Urgent...

I read this this morning in my book "Love at Last Sight" by Kerry and Chris Shook and after the events of yesterday and thinking about lots of things, I HAVE to share this...its made ME really think about things, hope it can do the same for some of you...

"A couple of years ago my friend Jimmy shared with me some bad news he had just received from his doctor. The cancer had returned, and the doctors had told Jimmy he had only six weeks to live. I was shocked and saddened, and giving him a big hug, I said, "Jimmy, I'm so sorry, but you know that everyone in the whole church will be praying for you."

I'll never forget Jimmy's response. I was blindsided with a powerful truth when he wistfully replied, "I appreciate your prayers so much, but really I need to pray for you and everyone in the church."

Jimmy went on to say, "I've been given a great gift. Now that the doctor has told me the news, I'm no longer distracted by life! My relationship with my wife is sweeter than ever, and I know exactly what God wants me to do with whatever time I have left on this earth. Everything is in complete focus for me now, but I'll pray for you--that you don't get distracted by life."

God gave Jimmy several months of undistracted and sacred life, and he left his family and friends with a blessed gift--and a prayer that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. I'll pray that you don't get distracted by life.

As I'm trying to practice the art of being all there, it's easy for me to get distracted by the details of daily living. I put off things that are most important and am drawn into the things that seem most urgent. I naturally drift inot complacency in my relationships, as if my time on earth were unlimited and my opportunities to show love in this lifetime will never end.

Although I don't often think about it, I have a limited number of years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds on this earth...and the clock is ticking. When I admit the fact that my time on earth is limited, I have to acknowledge that my opportunities to love on earth are limited as well.

---------and its continued. This book is amazing. Its helping me see my relationships soo differently. A friend of Lucky and Chad passed away unexpectedly yesterday. While I did not know him, its def made everyone  start thinking about just how short our time on earth really is. And also, just how quick someone can be gone...when you look at things this way, you realize that our relationships (w/God and w/people) are the most important things in this life!! Its all made me stop to think about how I can show my love to and for everyone in my life, everyday, every moment...bc you don't know when will be your (or their) last.

Also, due to a conversation w/a friend I wanted to add this..a friend recently told me that he was waiting to 'get right w/God' until later in life....while many won't come out and say those words, I think too many of us think/view it that way. You never know when God is going to call you up, out of this life. What if you don't get that 'later' chance?? His reasons were along these lines, "I dont want to have to ask forgiveness for stuff that Im sure I wont be able to change...I dont want to be a hypocrite and say I believe this, but do that"....and all I have to say is, GOD DOESNT EXPECT US TO BE PERFECT, IN FACT, HE KNOWS WE'RE NOT!!! He also doesn't wait until we're 'perfect/fixed' to love us! He wants you NOW! Just how you are!! Ive been a Christian for seven years and I am faaarr from what I want to be. I still make mistakes, daily. I still sin. I still slip up, and loose my way on some days. BUT thats what God is for!! He starts a work in us when we come to Him and the Bible says 'it wont be perfected until Christ comes again!' So...I guess Im just urging you, please...don't wait for these eternal decisions, if thats you. God loves you NOW. The time is now.